LAS VEGAS — This is Carmelo Anthony’s “dream” — play in New York with LeBron James this season.

That’s right. New York. Not Miami.

Too bad it’s a long shot to happen.

According to a friend of Anthony’s, Melo has held out faint hope Knicks president Phil Jackson can pull a miracle and clear out the necessary salary-cap space to get it done, but he is running out of time. Anthony’s decision could come in the next couple of days.

It would require Jackson to ship out Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani’s expiring contracts, and for Anthony and James to take less than the max. Iman Shumpert might have to be dealt, and the rights to Jeremy Tyler renounced.

One report said Jackson conceivably can move $40 million under the cap with a flurry of moves — as long as he doesn’t take back salary.

“He really wants LeBron to come to New York,’’ the source said. “That’s his dream right now. Phil is trying to get it done.’’

The Knicks have talked to the 76ers regarding taking on undesirable expiring contracts, something Philadelphia may be amenable to as long as a pawn is added. The Sixers have considered taking on Stoudemire’s $23.4 million but want Shumpert in addition. Philadelphia has $30 million in cap space, but has talked to the Rockets about inheriting Jeremy Lin, and they can’t do both.

There also has been a report of Jackson turning down a deal for Bargnani and Tim Hardaway Jr. Obviously there’s no point of doing such a deal unless the Knicks have a commitment from a prominent free agent such as James — or maybe even Pau Gasol.

Jackson appears eager to clear room and not wait until 2015. The Zen Master hinted at that during the draft late last month. But it really does seem to be — to borrow Pat Riley’s phrase — “a pipe dream.’’

The Knicks’ payroll for 2014-15 declined by $3.7 million because of their trade with the Mavericks, in which the Knicks shed Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. But Jackson has a long way to go.

“We have many handicaps with our salary cap,’’ Jackson said on draft night. “There’s always a possibility. I’m not going to rule ourselves out of anything with a chance to do something special.’’

Special likely meant James, who spurned the Knicks in 2010 free agency but may have an open mind this time.

“He didn’t want no part of New York in 2010,’’ the source said. “But he loves Phil and the chance to play with Melo.’’

Ironically, Jackson is in Las Vegas with the Knicks’ summer-league team while James is here with his Nike basketball high-school camp. Reports are James is meeting with Heat president Pat Riley on Wednesday.

Most people in the league feel James will wind up back in Miami reuniting the original Big Three with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, not with Anthony. One NBA source said the hype surrounding a possible James return to Cleveland is emanating from the Cavaliers, who are trying to save face for their 2010 debacle.

Jackson’s move to try to get under the salary cap further demonstrates Anthony’s preference is to make it work in New York, but he still has roster concerns for 2014-15. The Lakers, too, have looked into trying to fit both James and Anthony with their cap space but to no avail. They would have to dump Steve Nash’s contract.

James could sign a two-year max deal with Miami with an opt-out after the first year, giving him a chance at New York in 2015 or in 2016, when the Knicks also could have space.

The scenario in which Anthony could join Miami to form a new Big Three with Wade if Bosh accepted the max offer from Houston is tantalizing. But Anthony would rather do it in New York.

Whether Anthony wants to stay in New York without James is an issue only he can resolve.

“He hasn’t gotten a clue yet,” the source said.

The Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks and Knicks are awaiting answers. Knicks rookie coach Derek Fisher wouldn’t answer when asked whether he felt good about the situation.

The Bulls would need a sign-and-trade to net Anthony, and an NBA source said Jackson probably would do it if he thought he would lose him to the Lakers for no compensation.

Scottie Pippen, who had dinner with Anthony last week during his Chicago visit, said on SiriusXM NBA Radio: “I think we put our best foot forward and we pretty much wanted him to feel that we wanted him to be a part of our team and, you know, this is family here and we want him to be a part of it.”

This isn't the "Big 3" Miami Heat team which exists as D-Wade probably is no longer starter material, Bosh is a perimeter "PF" who is showing those signs that he may be better off taking Riley's low-ball salary, and, according to many "sources", LeBron has seen the "best" with Miami and wants to do it in the Big Apple and do it with Carmelo.

New York has upgraded the PG position unlike the Heat, who had the same need. If Phil can excise Stat's and Bargnani's deals, the Knicks will be able to sign the two biggest free agents this year, have either the mini mid-level exception to ink a very enthusiastic Pau Gasol, and will be the Eastern Conference's favorites.

No Knicks fan wants to give up Tim Hardaway, Jr. More Knicks fans are willing to let go of Iman Shumpert, which would also help the Knicks in having to meet and possibly exceed his qualifying offer—which happens to rear its head next season.

I cannot think of any Knicks fan that would not give up Shumpert and a future first round pick in order to jettison the contracts of Amar'e and Bargnani, in order to get the two best players available during their prime years. Even if it had to include Tim Hardaway, Jr., you have to to this now.

Unless he can walk into a guaranteed championship situation, Lebron isn't gonna leave Miami and money on the table. It isn't like the Heat have suddenly turned into doormats because they lost to the Spurs; they've been in the Finals every year Lebron's been there, winning twice. Re-sign their Big 3 to reasonable deals (slightly below max, as they did before), make a few roster moves and they're right back in it.

A more realistic trade scenario would be if the 76ers wanted to have as much cap space available next year. Then you can trade STAT, Bargnani, and Shump to the 76ers for one of their undesirable long term contract like Thaddeus Young. Then you save all of Stats 22Mill and the difference between Bargnani and Youngs contract which is about another 2-3Mill. Then that would make sense. Otherwise I don't see why Philly would do this trade.

Another off the wall scenario, if Phil really does want to start from scratch, you can add a third team and include Tim Hardaway to somehow get a 1st round pick for next year.

Philly does not want the deal with or without Shump. Shump does nothing to improve Philly's future and that's all that matters for that team, as they are not tooling for the present, and Shump would need to be re-upped by the time they expect to contend. Why would they even consider it? This is a Knicks fan's pipe dream.

Smoke screen here. Melo could sign with Miami right now, since Bosch and Wade are no longer under contract. He is waiting in order to make his choice look like an agonizing decision and to minimize the flak he will get for running out on NY and begging LeBron to win him a title. Only with emotional babies like these two could this happen. No one can conceive of Wilt Chamberlain deserting the 76ers to play with Bill Russell, Walt Frazier running off to the Lakers to play with Jerry West, or Magic Johnson opting out of his contract to join Larry Bird. It used to be that ownership was criticized for collusion against the players, but now it's the players who do the colluding. And it's disgusting.

Where is the team pride? Havent these free agents ever heard of loyalty? Back in the day...superstars STAYED with their teams through thick and thin...for better or worse as in marriage....when the teams werent very successful they still have pride...they tried harder...hoped their GMs would improve their teams through trades and the draft. Jordan stayed a Bull, Magic a Laker...Bird a Celtic Olajuown a Rocket...Ewing a Knick etc. They competed against each other...had pride in their teams and cities and their fans were proud and hopeful. Peoople as a whole have gotten lazy. They divorce instead of working on their marriages...they change jobs when the going gets a little difficult. Players leave their teams and fans to take an easier route to try to win a ring. They call each other and try to create their own teams to make things easier on them. They can leave their fans in a heartbeat and think nothing of it. Players are not the MEN they used to be back in the day....if Bird were to call Magic....it wouldnt be to try to team up for a chance at an easier championship it would be a competitive call...like were gonna kick you ass up and down the west coast and then up and down the east. Its good for the NBA to have superstars be loyal to their teams...they encourage it....incentive it with free agents ability to make alot more money on a max deal if they stay with their home teams. Grow up modern day superstars...it aint all about you! Its much bigger than that....HAVE LOYALTY to your teams and fans!

This entire article is a bunch of crap. Lebron has shown zero interest in coming to the Knicks. His agent has met with a number of teams including the Cavs, Rockets, Mavs and Suns. Lebron is now in Vegas and is meeting with the Heat and a bunch of other teams. He is not meeting with the Knicks even though the team and management is also in Vegas at summer league. What does that tell you?

Everyone is off the heats books and after they sign Wade,Bosh, and LBJ, they are estimated to have around 12 mill to fill the rest of their bench. There mid levels are already gone.

While the knicks have a bench of young players like Larkin and Early and vets like JR,Martin, and Pablo oh and if he gets his life together Odum. I expect Lamar to have it together cause I don't think he wants to let phil down.

The knicks actually look like they would be a better team than the heat. Because there bench would have more depth. A starting lineup of PG - CalderonSG- Ellington or JRSF- LebronPF- MeloC-Dalebert

With a young bench with some vets and still 3 mill from the cap going up and the trade Exp they got from Dallas makes this a good team.

Right Because Lebron & melo wants to play with the starting 5 of Calderon, Ellington, Lebron, Melo and Dalembert. Bench would be JR, Larkin and Early and the rest would be Fillers. I would think Lebron would rather stay with Miami

Honestly looks like Melo trying to concoct an exit strategy from NY. Putting it out there he was willing to give up salary to fit Lebron and win, but since Phil couldn't pull off the moves, it's the perfect excuse going somewhere else to a winning situation.

If this is legit not sure what the hold up is bc I heard the Knicks had the assets to pull off the Amare Shump deal, and they should be able to move Bargnani if they paired him with a THJ and w/o picks.

@Bandido Chamberlain did desert the 76ers to play with the Lakers who already had Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Jabbar fled the Bucks for the Lakers. Moses left the Rockets to play with Dr. J and Moe Cheeks. Rodman left the Pistons to join the Bulls who already had Jordan and Pippen. And we can't forget about Shaq screwing the Magic to join the Lakers with Kobe, Robert Horry and Nick Van Exel. In all of these cases they left as free agents or they forced a trade by letting the owners know that they would not resign. This has always happened and will continue to happen.

@Stephen Munno You do realize even if Melo doesn't resign The team would be $2 million or so above the Cap. Trading away Stat and Shumpert would create the space to Sign Lebron but why would Lebron want to waste a year in NY to play with what was worse then what he had in CLE all those years?

@Jake Shump can go in my opinion. He's not a consistent player. THJ is someone they would need on the bench for depth though. That's probably why they didn't do the Bargnani deal. Even if they'll get LBJ they will still need points from the bench.

@mrmr201 Yes but they didnt desert their teams during their primes...they hung in there and only went elsewhere in the twilights of their careers. Nowadays superstars in their primes are colluding...plotting etc to take an easier way out. NO LOYALTY

@Ben@Roy_Munson If Early gets half as many shots as Melo that will leave a lot for the rest of the team. I don't see how they can be much worse than last year. Think of all the happy players when they know somebody might pass it to them.

@chris @mrmr201 Oh yes they did desert their teams. Chamberlain, Jabbar, Moses Malone, Rodman and Shaq were all at the top of their game when they left. In fact their arrival in their new city led directly to a championship for their new team. They were not bench players. I'm not saying that today's athletes aren't plotting. But your recollection of the past is just not correct.